Fungi are eukaryotes devoid of plastids, with an absorptive nutritional mode and no phagocytosis. Their cell walls generally contain chitin and β-glucan. Fungi can trigger illnesses in humans and animals known as mycoses; they also cause plant diseases, human allergic disorders, and mycotoxicoses. In medical research, staining slides carrying fungal samples is a standard practice to visualize fungal structures. Conventional neutral resin mounting medium is only suitable for dry slide mounting and cannot be applied to stained wet specimens, limiting its application scope. Additionally, stained slides prepared with this medium have a short retention period.
Molds are a general term for fungi that produce branched hyphae, literally meaning "mold-forming fungi". They often develop extensively branched mycelium but do not generate large fruiting bodies like mushrooms. Mold hyphae are relatively thick, and their spores disperse readily in the air, so lactophenol cotton blue staining solution is widely used for specimen preparation.
Lactophenol cotton blue staining solution is commonly employed for staining Aspergillus fumigatus and other fungi. It preserves cellular morphology without distortion, possesses bactericidal properties, resists desiccation, and enables long-term slide storage. This product is intended solely for scientific research and shall not be used for other purposes.
Instructions for Use (For Reference Only):
1. Smear preparation: Label the glass slide, and drop 2–3 drops of lactophenol cotton blue staining solution onto the center of the slide.
2. Use a sterile inoculating loop or toothpick to collect a small fragment of fungal colony containing granules or pigmented regions.
3. Transfer the collected fungal material into the lactophenol cotton blue staining solution on the slide and mix thoroughly.
4. Cover with a clean coverslip and press gently to create a squash mount.
5. Observe fungal morphology under a light microscope at low magnification, high magnification, or oil immersion objective.
Precautions:
1. Draw a circular mark on the reverse side of the slide prior to smear preparation to locate the specimen area for subsequent experiments.
2. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment while collecting fungal samples. This reagent is irritating to human tissues, so adequate protection is mandatory.
3. Incubation duration of fungal cultures affects staining outcomes. Over-aged, dead, or lysed fungal cultures frequently yield false-negative staining results.
4. Wear a lab coat and disposable gloves throughout all operations for personal safety and health protection.
Staining Results
Spores and hyphae of fungi (especially Aspergillus fumigatus)
| Blue
|
Background
| Pale blue |
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